CONTRACTOR PREPARES THE SITE

The site of the future Denis Hurley Centre was handed over to the contractors GVK: SIYAZAMA on 1 July and they are now preparing for the demolition of the Parish Centre by erecting a protective hoarding on the three sides of the site, moving the taxi owners to a safer site and the informal traders’ stalls onto the Cathedral side of the Mall so that they will be able to continue plying their trade outside the hoarding. The contractor has a 14‐month contract for the demolition of the Parish Centre and construction of the new Centre. We still need to raise the final 20% of the construction costs. The Cardinal has called for a collection to be taken in all parishes of the Archdiocese over the weekend of 27‐28 July. Envelopes, leaflets, DVDs, t‐shirts and mugs are available from Jean‐Marie 031‐3012240/0725490338. The weekend will begin with a Concert of Sacred Choral Music & Dance presented in the Cathedral by four Catholic schools on 26 July at 5.30 for 6.00p.m. A collection will be taken and refreshments sold for the DHC.

FLOOD OF SPONSORSHIPS

Many supporters were deeply impressed that 81‐year old Monsignor Paul Nadal, believes so strongly in the importance of the Denis Hurley Centre (DHC) that he was willing to undertake a gruelling 300km pilgrimage walk to Santiago de Compostela to prove it. As a result sponsorships poured in for his brave venture. Over 400 people attended the Gala Dinner to celebrate his successful completion of the walk and to wish him a happy 81st birthday. So far over R200,000 has been collected and the contributions are still coming in. If your church or group would like to hear about Monsignor Paul’s experience – and are willing to take a collection for the DHC, phone 031‐2013832/072‐8064417 to make a booking.

HURLEY PRAISED BY PREMIER AND CORPORATE LEADER

KZN Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize, in his keynote address at the Gala Dinner on 21 June, focussed on the significant role played by Archbishop Denis Hurley in the liberation struggle. His praise was echoed by Dr Vincent Maphai who worked with the Archbishop as a young staff member of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) in the 1970s.

Dr Maphai, now the Director of Corporate Affairs and Transformation at SAB Miller, urged the corporate sector to generously back the Denis Hurley Centre as SAB Miller is doing.

HIGHLIGHTS OF GALA DINNER

Highlights of the Gala Dinner to celebrate Mgr Nadal’s Camino Pilgrimage and 81st birthday, were the candlelight procession escorting him into the hall, the lively singing of the awardwinning KwaZulu‐Natal Youth Choir, the addresses by Drs Zweli Mkhize and Vincent Maphai referred to above, the raffle which brought in an extra R8000 for the Camino Fund, and auctioning a portrait of Archbishop Hurley for R10,000. Just to prove that his knees were none the worse for wear, Mgr Nadal was the first to take to the dance floor after the official programme was over, thoroughly enjoying the music provided by “The Josephs”.